Landless squatters and informal settlers have filed a petition with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on July 14, 2026, alleging that they have been subjected to inhumane and discriminatory treatment at holding centres. They have also urged the Commission to take immediate action to ensure safe housing, the protection of their human rights, and permanent housing arrangements.
Representatives of the affected families displaced from Thapathali, Shantinagar, Gairigaun and other areas of Kathmandu submitted a joint petition to the Chairperson of the Commission, informing the NHRC about the conditions at the holding centres.
According to the petition, the government demolished their homes on April 25 without providing any alternative arrangements. They were subsequently relocated to the Radhaswami Satsang Holding Centre in Kirtipur. However, after continuous rainfall on July 10 caused flooding in the Bagmati River and inundated the area, they were transferred on July 11 to the Agricultural Development Training Centre in Bode, Bhaktapur, according to the victims. Some families have been accommodated at another holding centre in Kharipati.
The victims alleged that two to three families have been forced to share a single room at the Bode holding centre, claiming that this has violated their rights to privacy, health, security, and to live with dignity.
They also accused the authorities of discrimination in the distribution of relief assistance and alleged that media personnel, civil society representatives, and human rights defenders have not been allowed easy access to the holding centres in order to prevent the actual conditions from being made public.
The victims further stated that repeated relocation has heightened feelings of insecurity and psychological distress among their families, disrupted children’s education and healthcare, and left their future uncertain. They have called on the state to ensure safe and dignified housing for all affected families.